{"id":28181,"date":"2018-11-28T02:09:46","date_gmt":"2018-11-28T02:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=28181"},"modified":"2018-12-03T02:11:00","modified_gmt":"2018-12-03T02:11:00","slug":"category-2-bidding-rules-for-pa-non-public-schools-and-libraries-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=28181","title":{"rendered":"Category 2 Bidding Rules for PA Non-Public Schools and Libraries"},"content":{"rendered":"

November 28, 2018<\/span><\/p>\n

Category 2 eligible products, such as wireless access points, routers, switches, hubs, and wiring, are located at the applicant site and must be necessary to transport information to classrooms or publicly accessible areas of a library (equipment inside the building).\u00a0\u00a0Category 2 competitive bidding rules for PA\u00a0nonpublic schools and libraries\u00a0applicants mirrors the E-rate requirements exactly as these entity types are not subject to the additional requirements under the PA public procurement code. The following message outlines the bidding requirements for PA nonpublic schools and libraries.\u00a0 A copy of the presentation used in the recent Category 2 for Public Schools webinar is available at:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/PA-Category-2-Presentation-FY-2019-Nonpubs-and-Libraries.pdf<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information about calculating Category 2 Building Pre-Discount Budgets, please refer to this message:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=26631<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Bidding Rules for Nonpublic Schools and Libraries:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)\u00a0 E-rate rules require applicants that include a model number or manufacturer’s name to\u00a0also\u00a0include the words “or equivalent” on their Form 470\/RFP and then evaluate equivalent products that are bid.\u00a0 Applicants may state that such equipment must be compatible and interoperable with the School\/Library\u2019s existing equipment (in which case the existing equipment must be identified).<\/p>\n

2)\u00a0 E-rate rules require that any bid disqualification reasons be stated in the State and Local Procurement Requirements of the Form 470 or in the RFP. \u00a0Disqualification reasons must be yes\/no (either they complied or they did not).<\/p>\n

3)\u00a0 Applicants should not contact a potential vendor prior to bidding to seek an equipment list (E-rate rule).<\/p>\n